How embarrassing and painful is a bikini wax?

[snowkitten]

We are going away to stay with friends in Madrid during the Summer and I anticipate us spending a fair bit of time round the pool with the children. I want not to have to worry about my bikini line but am sick to death of shaving. Does a bikini wax hurt? I have heard it does! Also, I imagine it is pretty embarrassing as the waxers aren't medical professionals are they? Just beauty therapists/salon girls etc. What do you actually have to do?

[FanjoForTheMusic]

Another vote for lasering here!

[Ooopsadaisy]

Re - tendskin recipe - yes, it's soluble asprin that you need.

Also required is "rubbing alcohol". Boots and Superdrug had no idea what I was on about when I asked for it, but my friendly local independent pharmacist did.

Good luck to all those budding mad scientists, brewing away in their bathrooms across the nation! I was really sceptical about this but it really works for me.

[snowkitten]

FriskyVivalves - ha ha!!! Those Americans sure are cautious!

[FriskyBivalves]

Snowkitten, if you look up the ingredients you may well find a reference to 'uncoated' aspirins - think mostly on us websites. I assumed that's what we call soluble aspirins here: it's a term that seemed to flummox some american posters. Apparently v diff to find uncoated ones over there because they fear they can damage stomach lining. Love the way the shelves heave with them over here!

[ellifino]

Just a note of caution.

I am a veteran leg waxer and last time I went was talked into getting my underarms done for the first time too.

Disaster.

Bright red, sore skin for the best part of a week. Very sore and unsightly. Will go back to hairy pits and the occasional shave on high days and holidays.

If I had just been going on holiday I would have been gutted.

[bessie26]

Bikini wax is fine, underarms is what hurts! (but feels soooo nice afterwards!)

Repeated waxing defo reduces the regrowth, I get the lower half of my legs done & am pretty much bald on most of them now

Off to google tendskin & laser hair removal now

[snowkitten]

sprinkles!!! at your husband's attempt at vagazziling!
I am pleased to hear that the more you wax the slower the regrowth. I will start soon so that by the time we go away things should be more 'under control'!

Have googled Tendskin and gonna get ingredients ASAP!

[Havingkittens]

Frisky, they don't recommend using anything containing Salicylic Acid during pregnancy which Tend Skin contains - it's one of the main ingredients of Asprin too, hence that being in the recipe for home made Tend Skin.

I'd recommend getting some of those exfoliating gloves to use with a moisturising shower gel in the meantime.

[FriskyBivalves]

Oops, it's gone on the list with pate, unpasteurised cheese, vats of red wine etc etc.

Meanwhile, have divvied out my potion among three lucky mums at dd's school, all of whom have promised feedback!

[sprinkles77]

snowkitten, DH loves the fact I use his beard trimmers on my pubes! So much so he offered to do it for me (never again!) and then did his too. OMG that looked bad!

[Collegemum38]

Bikini wax is an absolute breeze. If you want to experience a painful wax get your shins waxed.

Bikini wax is quick and not painful.

The more often you wax the slower and thinner the regrowth. The 1st few times you get it done you may find that it gorws back fairly quickly.

[Ooopsadaisy]

I agree, Frisky - not worth risking it.

Add it to that long list of things to do after the baby is born!

In the meantime, why not ask a friend to test-drive the solution for you? It's also recommended for men who get shaving bumps around their necks. My DP uses it (but would never admit it!)

[FriskyBivalves]

Ahhh, oopsadaisy thanks very much. I think I won't risk it! Better safe than sorry. Would be the silliest reason in the world to jeopardise things...can you imagine explaining to DH...

FB

[Ooopsadaisy]

Frisky - Proper branded Tendskin says "not tested for use during pregnancy/nursing."

Otherwise, I'm sorry I can't advise as I didn't discover this wonderful potion until after I'd had my DCs.

If you have a friendly local pharmacist, I would ask them. Tell them all the ingredients you've used and they should advise. They usually haven't heard of Tendskin so you will have to explain.

[FriskyBivalves]

Mine's a homemade Tendskin query (sorry for possible hijack, but it is still related...)

Am 16 wks pregnant. Any ideas of whether it's safe to be wiping aspirin solution up and down my ingrowing hairy bumpy legs? Could it pass through my skin - in short, have I just bubbled up a great bottle of Tendskin for nothing????

Thanking you kindly...

[snowkitten]

oops - will google that recipe sprinkles - I hate that chafing feeling!
sprinkles - I bet your husband loves you!!! Nail scissors making my eyes water!
TWCL laser hair removal? Do you really need never have to worry again? Sounds v appealing. I wil linvestigate.
Thanks all for your advice -

[TheWestCoastLotus]

You know, considering how pricey waxing is, why not think about laser hair removal? Then you never have to worry about it again. Prices have really come down in the last few years. I had my bikini line and underarms done five years ago and it was the best money I've ever spend on myself. I had three or four sessions in a short period time and most of my hair was gone. Then had a few touch-ups and now it's gone completely. Really, really worth it!!!

[sprinkles77]

bite the bullet. go brazillian. if you're a bit wild a bit of a trim will make things less painful. I use my husbands beard trimmer on the longest setting about 2 weeks before. or you could use nail scissors. Oh and 2 nurafen an hour before. it's a moment's pain and so nice after.

[Ooopsadaisy]

snowkitten - the Tendskin solution that I mentioned is brilliant for the red spots that you mention. I used to suffer dreadful ingrowing hairs but Tendskin changed my life (she gushed dramatically). It's a bit pricey but I now make my own - google the recipe - it's just as good.

Don't be afraid of the waxing. You just feel so clean afterwards - it's worth the momentary discomfort.

[snowkitten]

Boozilla - you make it sound so tempting . Maybe second time round . As I am a waxing virgin - so to speak - baby steps for me! I have to get over the self consciousness bit of it first

[Boozilla]

I'd go for a brazilian if I were you, in for a penny in for a pound!

Obviously it's a bit uncomfortable but any good therapist should not make you feel embarrassed. This is a part of their job and I have never yet met one who made me feel awkward. Usually we just chat about stuff while they get on with it! It is a painful but it's very quick. I heard that drinking a coffee beforehand also helps boost your pain threshold!

It's really worth it, I have brazilians regularly and would certainly never go back to shaving.

Have a brazilian...go on...

[snowkitten]

Thanks all - oopsdaisy - I don;t think I could handle a Brazilian first time but once I have sampled a regular wax I would like a more thorough job - esp for the Summe months. I am so sick to death of shaving and having red spots around my bikini line - it almost looks worse than a few strays!
Thansk for you advice - I shall book one soon

[She3po]

I would do it the day before you go but mine always grow in within two weeks so take a razor. I don't get too red and it fades within a few hours but a trial run sounds like a good idea as someone else will comment who has a totally different experience.

[Ooopsadaisy]

I have a Brazilian every two months.

I keep my thong on and the beautician just sort of works around me, lifting the thong whenever she needs to. She is extremely discreet and polite about it.

When I first went to her I hid my embarassment by making remarks about what a horrible part of her job this must be but she was very reassuring that absolutely nothing bothered her. She said something like she was just happy doing a job that made other people feel better about themselves which I thought was rather nice.

I lie on my back and she "arranges" me as she needs "access to my underneathy bits!" For a simple bikini wax it will be much less "arranging" as everything is readily available! She may ask you to open your legs so she can do the inside of the top of your legs if you have any hair there - it really depends on how thorough you want the job.

It does hurt the first time but less and less each time because the hairs get weaker and thinner. Take a couple of paracetomal about a half hour before you go.

Also have some Aloe Vera gel on hand at home to use afterwards. It helps to sooth the redness.

Also use Tendskin to prevent ingrowing harir if you are prone to this (it's my personal hell). I use an online recipe for Tendskin and make my own as I use it regularly.

[snowkitten]

She3po - ouch! thanks all- I don't want anything too exmeme! Just a 'tidy up' I suppose. So, how long before I am going away should I have it done? Is there any redness afterwards? I am hoping that if I have it done a couple of days before our trip, then I won't hvae to worry about any 'strays' for a few weeks? maybe I'll do a trial run before I go away?